Clare Bridge

Explorer Tom Ashroe House is a Tudor Revival dream that keeps growing itself into the landscape like a stubborn weed. It’s got sandstone walls and limestone dressings, which gives it this cool chromatic variation that makes it look expensive and very put-together. The complex form shows it’s been evolving for decades, probably arguing with itself about what colour to be next. Mind your head, the beams are low.

Explorer Tom Dromore House in Clonbunny is currently being judged by a committee of rabbits who think its fine doorcase is slightly too fancy for their taste. It’s got timber sash windows and a slate roof that look like they’re trying to impress the local wildlife. Bother those rabbits if you can find them hiding in the outbuildings!

Explorer Tom Slieve Felim sounds like it was named for a fellow called Felim, and I was nearly ready to invent his long beard. The older Irish name points instead to Ébliu, an ancient goddess. Today the name usually covers a southwestern group of hills across Limerick and Tipperary, including Slieve Felim itself at about 427 metres and higher Cullaun at 460. Earlier writers used it for a much broader mountain area. There is also a marked Slieve Felim Way for walkers. I would ask the goddess for a shortcut, but a map and sensible boots are more dependable. Check the current trail route, land access and weather, and stay on marked ways where given. Look across the rolling ridges before choosing which hill is which. Even the name has wandered farther than most visitors.

Explorer Tom Castle Connell hosted a fiddler who played all night long, and the castle never let him stop until he dropped dead. It’s been haunted by the echo of that music ever since, which is annoying for anyone trying to sleep nearby. If it rains, blame me.

Explorer Tom Castle Connell in Coolbane started because two lads made a bet in a pub about who could build bigger. King John agreed to pay for it, which is how most bad decisions happen. Go in good boots and better humour, trust me.

Explorer Tom Cathedral in Shantraud is hiding its light under a very large bushel of mystery. The locals probably think the roof leaks because they forgot to pay the celestial plumber. It’s a proper spot for a flask of tea and a big, confused think about history.

Explorer Tom Brian Boru Heritage Centre in County Clare is hiding a treasure chest inside the library that definitely contains nothing but stale biscuits and old newspapers. The lock-keeper’s ghost is still guarding it for no reason. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Tobermurragh in Knockyclovaun was once taken over by a fox who demanded tribute in exchange for guarding the water supply. The red brick enclosure stands as a monument to that brief but chaotic reign of canine authority and questionable judgment. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you, really.

Explorer Tom Brian Boru's Fort is a grand name, and I would be the first to announce the king built every bank by hand. Archaeology asks for more care. Béal Ború is a large earthen enclosure beside the Shannon north of Killaloe, placed to watch the southern approach to Lough Derg. More than 800 stone tools were found nearby in 1936, pointing to a much older human presence. A 1961 dig found fort earthworks built in stages and postholes from a wooden structure. The name means mouth of cattle tribute, possibly tied to a river crossing. Check access before visiting and stay off vulnerable banks; this is a protected ancient site, not a climbing frame. Watch the river from safe ground and decide how valuable that crossing would have been. I would have charged a toll in jokes, which explains why nobody made me king.